Pit bull woman refuses tag
A woman who was given a night-time curfew after she sold a wounded illegal pit bull terrier without seeking veterinary treatment for the animal has refused to wear an electronic tag. A woman who was given a night-time curfew after she sold a wounded illegal pit bull terrier without seeking veterinary treatment for the animal has refused to wear an electronic tag. Ceri Louisa O'Neill, of Walsall, was banned from keeping dogs for three years, given a four-month curfew from 7pm to 7am and handed a community order after she admitted being in possession of a pit bull terrier, called Lee. She also admitted not taking steps to ensure the needs of an animal for which she had responsibility were met, by passing the dog untreated to someone she knew was not a veterinary surgeon while it had untreated wounds. She was back before Walsall magistrates yesterday as the court heard she was required to wear an electronic tag as part of her community sentence, but was in breach of that order. O'Neill, aged 49, admitted that she failed to allow access to a specified place of curfew, namely her address, with the purpose of installing that equipment. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
A woman who was given a night-time curfew after she sold a wounded illegal pit bull terrier without seeking veterinary treatment for the animal has refused to wear an electronic tag.
Ceri Louisa O'Neill, of Walsall, was banned from keeping dogs for three years, given a four-month curfew from 7pm to 7am and handed a community order after she admitted being in possession of a pit bull terrier, called Lee.
She also admitted not taking steps to ensure the needs of an animal for which she had responsibility were met, by passing the dog untreated to someone she knew was not a veterinary surgeon while it had untreated wounds.
She was back before Walsall magistrates yesterday as the court heard she was required to wear an electronic tag as part of her community sentence, but was in breach of that order.
O'Neill, aged 49, admitted that she failed to allow access to a specified place of curfew, namely her address, with the purpose of installing that equipment.
Mr Scott Murphy, prosecuting on behalf of tagging operator Serco, told the magistrates O'Neill twice refused to allow staff into her home in Lower North Street, Butts, to fit the device.
"The subject refused to have the tag fitted saying she was appealing against the sentence," Mr Murphy said.
He said she was warned she would be brought back to court if she refused to comply.
Mr Stephen Scully, defending, told the court O'Neill had indicated to him her wish to appeal against the sentence, but this had not been done.
Magistrates adjourned the case until January 21 and granted O'Neill unconditional bail.
There are four breeds that are restricted in the UK and banned under The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991– pit bull terriers, Japanese Tosas, the Dogo Argentinos, and the Fila Brasileiros.
Cross breeds of those dogs are also covered by the law.
Originally pit bulls were bred for bull-baiting, a gambling "game" where bulldogs attacked bulls in pits.
Pit bulls were bred to maximise aggression, to have a high pain threshold and a willingness to fight to the death.
